O1uwapelumi

Synopsis:
In a world where Alphas rule with absolute power, Alpha Caidren Thorne stands above them all—a warlord feared for his cruelty, a ruler whose hands are stained with the blood of both enemies and kin. His lands are harsh, his rule even harsher, and his name alone is enough to strike terror into the hearts of those who hear it.

But there is a darker truth hidden beneath his legend.

Every Omega sent to him has perished.

No one knows why. No one dares to ask. Some whisper that his presence alone is enough to snuff out their fragile lives, that no Omega can withstand his brutality. Others say that he is cursed, doomed to be alone forever. But Caidren does not care. He has never let anyone close—not a mate, not a lover, not even his own people. His heart is stone, and his hands are weapons.

When the noble House Velmire is forced to offer him an Omega, they do not send their treasured daughter. Instead, they send Elias—an adopted outcast, a boy without a place in their world. Elias has spent his life alone, unwanted, and now, he is being sent to a fate worse than death.

And when he arrives at the Bloodfang Stronghold, he is welcomed by a scene of horror.

A man clothed in black can be seen writhing in agony. Blood soaking the ground. And standing above it all, delivering judgment with cold precision, is Alpha Caidren.

Elias’ fear takes root instantly. This man is no savior. He is death itself.

Caidren barely acknowledges him, dismissing him with a single glance. Another Omega. Another life that will soon disappear.

But Elias does not die.

Days pass. Then weeks. And for the first time, an Omega survives.

Elias is not weak. He is not fragile. He is not like the others. And against every instinct, every warning, Caidren begins to take notice.

What starts as indifference turns to fascination. What was once just another burden soon becomes something the Alpha refuses to let go of.

For the first time in his life, Caidren is afraid—not of war, not of death, but of the one thing he never thought he could have.

And when enemies rise and threaten to take Elias away, Caidren will burn the world to keep his Omega safe.

scarred by the Alpher, claimed by his touch.

The days following the failed assassination passed with an eerie sense of normalcy. The soldiers continued their duties, the camp buzzed with its usual strict order, and Elias remained in his designated room, seemingly fragile, quiet, and unimportant.

Elias could feel his presence like a shadow, hovering at the edges of his existence. The Alpha never confronted him directly, but his gaze lingered too long whenever they crossed paths, and his men whispered about things they thought Elias couldn't hear. The way the guards at his door stiffened when passing soldiers asked about him told Elias everything he needed to know—they were watching him closely.

Still, Elias played his part well. He moved carefully, never making a misstep, never showing any signs that he was anything more than a delicate Omega barely coping with his situation. He knew that if he drew too much attention again, the Alpha might start demanding real answers. And Elias wasn't ready for that.

But just as he thought he had settled into a rhythm, another disruption arrived.

It started with a murmuring among the soldiers, the sound of approaching visitors. Elias didn't need to ask who it was. He could tell by the shift in energy, the forced politeness in the way the guards addressed them.

Elias remained seated in his room as the voices outside grew louder. His hands curled slightly in his lap, not out of fear but calculation. What was their reason for coming? They had given him away without hesitation, choosing to send him to the Alpha in place of their daughter. Why return now, as if they cared?

The door creaked open, and Elias raised his head just in time to see his adoptive parents step inside. They wore expressions of concern, but to Elias, it felt like a carefully rehearsed performance.

"Elias," his adoptive mother breathed, stepping closer. "Oh, my dear, how have you been?"

He lowered his eyes, keeping his face neutral. "I am… fine."

His adoptive father studied him, his sharp eyes scanning for any sign of weakness or complaint. "The Alpha has been treating you well?"

Elias hesitated just long enough to make it seem like he was unsure how to answer. Then he nodded. "Yes."

There was a pause. His mother's hands clenched her skirts, her feigned concern slipping just a little. "That's… good. We were worried about you."

Elias almost laughed. Worried? No, they had come for another reason.

He lifted his eyes to meet theirs, searching for the truth behind their sudden visit. Were they here to confirm he was still alive? To ensure he hadn't exposed their deceit? Or had someone else sent them?

The Alpha had been watching him closely, but now Elias wondered—was he the only one?

chapter 44: why are they here